John Dodson targets UFC return in May, plans to knockout Demetrious Johnson to win flyweight title

Most flyweights aren't known for their knockout power.

Then again, John Dodson isn't most flyweights. The stocky-and-cocky title contender has already knocked out three opponents in five trips to the Octagon, and plans to make it four of six when he sleeps Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) 125-pound kingpin Demetrious Johnson.

But first, as he explains to Duane Finley, he's got to get his injured knee back to 100 percent.

"Whoever they put in front of me I'm going to put them to sleep. I'm hoping to get a fight in either May or June. I'm in the gym right now and I'm testing out my knee. I have to make sure I'm doing things right and come back right. I can't just sit there -- take those little ins and outs -- and hope to just pop through this. Taking that route will only minimize my chances to have a long-standing career. Being out has sucked, but I want to make sure I'm in the best possible shape I can be in to come back and get the wins I need to earn a shot at the title. I want to knockout D.J. That sounds bad but I want to put him to sleep. Nothing against him, it's just how I want to win the title."

A rematch shouldn't be too hard to come by.

While Dodson (15-6) came up empty in his bid to dethrone Johnson in early 2013, the flyweight division is a little short (no pun intended) on contenders. That has just as much to do with the dominance of "Mighty Mouse" as it does divisional depth, evidenced by the way he manhandled Joseph Benavidez last December.

If "The Magician" does get a second crack at the crown, does he have enough new tricks to make Johnson's title disappear?